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Pawprints & Predicaments

Pawprints & Predicaments, March 2018
Lucky Paws Petsitting #3
by Bethany Blake

Kensington
Featuring: Lauren Savidge; Daphne Templeton; Gabriel Graham
384 pages
ISBN: 1496707427
EAN: 9781496707420
Kindle: B071SK3VF9
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
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"Wintry crime and a canine caper"

Fresh Fiction Review

Pawprints & Predicaments
Bethany Blake

Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted May 6, 2018

Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Pet Lovers

Third in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series is a fun tale of a Winterfest in the town of Sylvan Creek. PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS are about to ensue. The setting is between mountains, woods, and a lake. The weather looks set to snow and doggie knitwear is selling fast. Daphne Templeton runs a pet sitting business, and has a basset hound named Socrates. She and her friends are out for fun, but the news that Stylish Life TV network is filming events doesn't meet with approval. The producer Lauren Savidge and crew have been upsetting people in town somewhat, and the local newshound is always keen to report on fractious situations. Between simmering tensions and the issue of jumping into the icy lake for charity, Daphne finds herself on edge. The cold, murky water hides a secret, and someone shrieks for help. Before you can say hot rum punch, the town police detective, Jonathan Black, an ex-SEAL, is investigating a probable murder. To add another string to her bow, Daphne is planning to open a wholesome bakery store... sometime. She's working up to it, testing recipes. Meanwhile she traipses around town caring for pets, of all shapes and sizes. She fits in a call to reporter Gabriel Graham, who claims he was a top investigative journalist in Philly before buying the local paper. Daphne is wondering what the story is there, I was too, especially when he challenges Daphne to match wits with him on resolving the murder issue. He's just rescued a stray St. Bernard dog, but turns out he has no interest in keeping such a big dog and palms him off on guess who. I'm puzzled as to why Daphne took a doctorate in philosophy, unused except to let her drop Greek musings into conversations. How does this help the author Bethany Blake establish her character as an amateur sleuth? The degrees must have cost her a fortune, as well as the best earning years of a young person's life, so how does she intend to make the money back? Walking dogs? Maybe the rationale was explained in the previous two books. Admittedly Daphne's mother seems to be well enough off, working as a real estate agent and dabbling in property. The style of the book is also jarring; over seventy very short chapters, which usually end on a dramatic note; words like hurtling, disaster, scream, full speed; but the next chapter just starts with something bland. I have to say I got tired of the arrangement quickly. The story does definitely take a turn to drama, so hang in there. A few recipes are at the end of PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS -- treats for the furry friends. Enjoy.

Learn more about Pawprints & Predicaments

SUMMARY

The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would like to tell her to go jump in a lake—and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . . It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore—with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard—but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation—whether he wants her to or not . . . Includes recipes for homemade pet treats!


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